Diogo Leite on Dortmund’s radar as they eye centre-backs | OneFootball

Due to the departure of Aarón Anselmino, who was loaned from Chelsea FC to Racing Strasbourg, and because Filippo Mane was sidelined with a muscle injury for several weeks during the 3-2 victory against 1. FC Heidenheim on Sunday, Borussia Dortmund currently has a thin lineup in the central defense. This is not intended to be a permanent situation, especially with a view to the next season.

However, it is expected that Niklas Süle, one of the current central defenders, will definitely leave at the end of his contract. Additionally, there is a big question mark over the future of Nico Schlotterbeck, who is a candidate for sale without an extension beyond 2027. Emre Can has also not yet extended his expiring contract, while Ramy Bensebaini is apparently on the radar of Galatasaray Istanbul.

Besides youngster Mane, BVB can currently only firmly plan with Waldemar Anton for the new season. It is therefore clear that the officials are keeping an eye on the central defender market. In addition to Ramon Hendriks from VfB Stuttgart, who can also play on the left, another player who has caught attention in the Bundesliga with good performances is said to have sparked Dortmund's interest.

Diogo Leite available for free in the summer

According to insider Gianluca Di Marzio, BVB is among a number of German and Italian clubs eyeing Diogo Leite from 1. FC Union Berlin. The 27-year-old Portuguese joined Berlin from FC Porto in the summer of 2023 and is expected to leave the club at the end of his contract on June 30 – free of charge, which is attracting even more interest.

Even during the winter transfer period, which ended on Monday, a move was considered likely. Lazio Rome, in particular, is said to have courted Leite, who, however, sustained a thigh injury during Union's 1-3 defeat at TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday and possibly dismissed a last-minute transfer for this reason.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.